Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Service Manager for Democratic and Elections.

Cllr S Flower, Leader - Governance, Performance and Communications, presented the report and recommendations.

Members highlighted that only 5 Council meetings had been scheduled in the next Municipal year, including the Annual meeting, and that this did not adequately represent the Dorset electorate. A minimum of 6 meetings of Council was specified in the Constitution. Further comment was made regarding the lack of evening meetings that might benefit some working Councillors and members of the public.

The Leader explained that 6 Council meetings had been scheduled, including a reserve meeting.  Members had been canvassed for their opinions on timing of meetings prior to the inception of the Dorset Council that had resulted in many variations. The views of Councillors would be taken into account in the governance review following 12 months of the Dorset Council.

Proposed by Cllr Spencer Flower, seconded by Cllr Peter Wharf.

Decision

1.       That the Calendar of Meetings for the period May 2020 to May 2021, as amended by Cabinet, be adopted.

2.       That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director – Legal and Democratic Services to make any necessary in-year changes, in consultation with the relevant Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen, to ensure effective political management.

3.       That a review of the Calendar of Meetings be carried out as part of the fundamental review of the Council’s Constitution.

Reason for Decisions

To ensure effective political management, comply with the Dorset Council Procedure Rules and to put into place appropriate arrangements for Council committee meetings.

To consider a report from the Leader of the Council.

The Leader of the Council presented a report that set out the Calendar of Meetings for 2020-21, with the addition of an extra date in February 2021 for Audit & Governance Committee, as agreed with the Chairman of that committee.

In response to a question about the timing of future meetings, the Leader of the Council confirmed that a discussion regarding future arrangements beyond the 2020-21 calendar would be part of the fundamental Governance Review process.

Recommendation to Full Council

(a)       That the Calendar of Meetings for the period May 2020 to May 2021, as amended, be adopted.

(b)       That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director – Legal and Democratic Services to make any necessary changes, in consultation with the relevant Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen, to ensure effective political management.

(c)        That a review of the calendar of meetings be carried out as part of the fundamental review of the Council’s Constitution.